Can I use 72 on IRS on my 66 Bus???

Dyno Soar · Post by **Dyno Soar** » Sat Jun 08, 2002 1:31 pm

I think I read somwhere that you should only use 68 IRS rear ends for your split.
Is this true?

I have been offered a 72 bus with small pcd. I want to run IRS from this bus and disc and better rear drums. Can I use all the rear IRS set up??

Why is it better to use the 68 IRS??

Thanks y'all

type2guy · Post by **type2guy** » Sun Jun 09, 2002 12:20 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dyno Soar:
I think I read somwhere that you should only use 68 IRS rear ends for your split.
Is this true?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kind of. They really mean '68-'70. The torsion spring plates are a direct bolt up swap on these models PLUS they've got the Wide-5 bolt pattern same as early split window busses.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I have been offered a 72 bus with small pcd. I want to run IRS from this bus and disc and better rear drums. Can I use all the rear IRS set up??

Why is it better to use the 68 IRS??

Thanks y'all<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You can use them, but you still have to have a set of rear torsion spring plates from a '68-'71. Basically any bay with an upright motor the springplates should be a direct swap. The other parts from the later busses SHOULD bolt up to the early bay spring plates...which bolt up to your split window bus.

You can only use the front discs if you've got a beam from a '68-'69 1/2 bay window. These are the only bay beams that are a direct bolt up to the split window busses. After that the mounting bolt pattern changed. Once you have one of these beams, you can bolt up any of the late bay window bus disc brakes directly. Only problem is you either need to cut and turn your '68 beam or weld in adjusters. OTher wise your bus will sit 2 inches too high in the front.

I've been collecting parts to do this swap for a future project. I've got a 23-window that will have a '68 front beam with adjusters, late 70's big bay disc brakes, and the rear will be '68 springplates with late bay drums to match the the bolt pattern of the front. Upright T4 motor.

There are kits out there to do the IRS rear. You can also do most of it your self. Lots of work to get it right, but can be done.

My goal is a highway cruiser bus to take to drive to shows and such. My latest daily driver was a stock '59 Kombi with 1600cc DP engine and it is a pain on the highway.

I think lots of folks are starting to catch on to the bay running gear swap. THere are ways to use your '72 bus parts. Just would be more of a "hack" job. Weld in the front beam instead of bolting it (one bolt will match up) and weld in the whole IRS rear from the bay...cut it out at the torsion beam houseing and weld that whole setup in there.

Anything is possible. But the bolt ups are reversable.

Hope some of that helps a little.

Dyno Soar · Post by **Dyno Soar** » Sun Jun 09, 2002 2:19 pm

Thanks T2 Guy.

I since found out that all parts are to long to fit correctly.. so I would need to chop things about.

Welding Beam in is definate NO> NO nooooo.

I am taking the same route as your self late Bay brakes, t4 2.0 Porsche cooling, and 68 beam and IRS.

Gonna have to get stuff that will fit better I think. ie 69-69 gear.

Thanks again buddy.